If you or a loved one recently sustained injury due to another party’s carelessness, Ohio law gives you an option for recourse by filing a personal injury claim. The Dayton personal injury lawyers at Brannon Law Firm have been helping citizens of Greenville collect compensation for the full extent of their injuries, pain, and suffering since 1975. In our over 4 decades serving Darke County, we have helped clients secure hundreds of millions of dollars in court settlements and jury verdicts – many of these have been in excess of $1 million dollars. If you believe that someone else should be legally responsible for harm you suffered, reach out to a Greenville personal injury lawyer at Brannon Law Firm to schedule a free initial consultation.
What Is a Personal Injury Claim?
“Personal injury” is a broad area of law that encompasses several types of accidents. Virtually all personal injury claims hinge on the legal concept of negligence, which refers to the idea that someone’s action or inaction led to your injuries. There are four basic elements to a personal injury claim:
- First, the person who sustained injuries (the “plaintiff”) must show the person they’re trying to collect damages from (the “defendant”) owed them some duty of care. A business owner, for example, owes a duty of care to the patrons of his or her store.
- Second, the plaintiff must establish that the defendant breached their duty of care. A business owner may breach his or her duty of care when they fail to reasonably maintain their property, creating a dangerous condition. This is called “committing negligence.”
- Third, the plaintiff must show that the defendant’s breach led to his or her injuries, and finally;
- The plaintiff must show proof of harm. Examples include medical bills, documented lost wages, etc.
There are several different types of personal injury cases, and the laws governing personal injury cases apply whenever someone suffers harm because of someone else’s actions (or inaction). Examples of personal injury cases range from car accidents to medical malpractice – even injuries sustained while using a defective product. If you or a loved one incurred injury in any type of accident and believe someone else may be responsible, you may have legal grounds for a personal injury claim. As such, it’s essential to contact a Greenville personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Statute of Limitations in Ohio
Each personal injury case has a unique timeline, but most have time limits for filing a claim with court. This is called the “statute of limitations,” and in Ohio this time limit is 2 years from the date of the accident. In some cases, such as medical malpractice involving minors, the time limit may vary. It’s essential to consult with a Greenville personal injury attorney as soon as possible following your accident, as failing to file within the deadline could cause you to lose your right to compensation.
Damages in a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Victims of personal injury can collect certain damages under Ohio law:
- Economic damages compensate for the calculable expenses of your accident, including medical bills, lost wages, and even loss in earning capacity.
- General damages provide reimbursement for intangible losses like the loss in life quality, pain, and suffering attributed to your experience.
Contact a Greenville Personal Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one recently sustained injury or suffered harm due to another party’s negligence, protect your right to compensation by contacting the Brannon Law Firm. We have a long history of protecting the rights of accident victims in Greenville and Darke County. We’re committed to helping you secure compensation for the full amount of your injuries, suffering, and pain. To schedule a free review of your legal options with one of our partners, contact us.